Thanks for the information, guys. Well, last night I researched a number of 49-key controller keyboards and weighed the pros & cons. I looked at the Alesis VI49, Novation Launchkey 49 and Nektar Impact LX49 (older version without the rave lighting). Those were the only models in my $250-ish CAD budget.

Alesis VI49: Pros - Aftertouch, tons of pads, has MIDI out. Cons - No sliders and from what I could find, limited or pain-in-the-a$$ integration with DAW software. Lots of complaints about this.

Novation Launchkey 49: Pros - Lots of pads, sliders, excellent DAW integration...EXCEPT for Sonar. Big con. I was surprised and disappointed to learn this model won't work with Sonar, otherwise I would've gone with this one. No MIDI out or aftertouch.

Nektar Impact LX49: Pros - Excellent integration with all major DAW software, has sliders. Cons - no MIDI out or aftertouch.

So I went full circle and back to the Nektar board, and bought that one. I liked features of the other models, especially the aftertouch and MIDI out of the Alesis, but after reading about the difficulties people had trying to get it to work with Sonar (or any DAW for that matter) and after reading the Novation had zero support for Sonar, the only choice was the Nektar.

The MIDI merge option Jim mentioned is a good possibility. All I really want to do with the Nektar is control DAW software and use the Alesis QS8 to do most of the playing. Will I be able to use the Nektar's DAW controls (like pressing Record/Playback), and begin playing with the QS8, or will that require MIDI merging? Please excuse my ignorance, this is my first foray into multi-keyboard recording.

Last edited by Coelacanth; 10/14/16 10:22 AM.